Code of Ethics
As members of the Skye Terrier Club of America, we recognize our responsibility to preserve and protect the Breed. We further recognize that the quality and reputation of all Skye Terriers rests solely in the hands of their owners, breeders and exhibitors. We, as members of the Skye Terrier Club of America, adhere to and are guided by the following Code of Ethics:
- To maintain a proper social and physical environment for Skyes. To practice preventive medicine and total cleanliness in the care of Skyes.
- To strive to educate the public, and the new Skye owner in particular, that they may enjoy and appreciate the Skye Terrier. To provide help and assistance to the extent possible to fellow Skye fanciers.
- To support local and national dog organizations which work to educate the public and improve the welfare of all purebred dogs. To abide by the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club. As members of the Skye Terrier Club of America, to adhere to the rules of the Club as defined in the Constitution and By-Laws.
- To direct our efforts toward producing Skyes of such quality that they will serve to improve and compliment the breed. To avoid breeding individual Skyes with faults which could pass down through future generations to the detriment of the breed as defined in the Standard.
- To produce no more Skyes, either through breeding of bitches or use of stud dogs, than can be well cared for or moved into happy loving homes. Indiscriminate breeding by unknowledgeable persons is discouraged.
- To use bitches for breeding and dogs at stud only when they have properly matured as defined under modern veterinary standards. Further, to breed bitches only as often as is consistent with their good health and under the dictates of sound medical practice. To refuse stud service to a bitch who is unregistered, in poor health, or of unsound temperament. Further, to refuse stud service to a bitch with heredity show disqualifying faults.
- To deliver or ship Skye puppies only if old enough to withstand the change of home and strains of travel. Guided by good judgment and the development of the individual puppy, it is deemed beneficial for the development of a Skye puppy to be placed in a home with people able to provide it with love and personal attention.
- To provide, on the date of sale to the purchaser of a Skye puppy, a written record of the puppys health, vaccinations, and brand of serum; a sales contract; and a four generation pedigree. The contract should state clearly if the dog being sold is of show or pet quality. To recommend that the purchaser have the puppy examined by a veterinarian of his/her choosing within 48 hours of receipt.
- To reach an agreement and stipulate in the sales contract with the purchaser of a puppy or an adult dog the natural disqualifying faults which make its use for breeding detrimental to the Skye Terrier breed. To include in the contract the right of the seller to withhold the AKC registration papers until he/she is in receipt of signed statement from an attending veterinarian to the effect that the dog has been neutered. Further, to stipulate in the contract that if the purchaser finds if necessary to dispose of the dog, that he/she provide the seller every opportunity to help him/her find a new home for the dog.
- To refrain from knowingly selling, trading, or giving Skye Terriers or providing stud service to a commercial breeder, pet shop, research laboratory or any person known to be unethical in his/her dealings in purebred dogs.
- To refrain from knowingly engaging in false or misleading advertising or other misrepresentations of the Skye Terrier breed.
- To adhere to AKC’s Good Sportsmanship policy which means to always promote the breed in a positive light; to act toward competitors and club members in a courteous, civil manner which is extended not only in face to face encounters but to include no personal attacks or inflammatory statements on social media sites, e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.